Method for manufacturing inflatable articles



Dec. 1, 19 31. J, sTElN 1,834,078

METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING INFLATABLE ARTICLES Filed Oct. 15, 1928 Patented Dec. 1, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 11003 serum, BROOKLYN, m YORK a buunon fled October 15, 1988. Serial 80. $18,818.

This invention relates to a new method and apparatus for the manufacture of hollow rubber articles from su erposed sheet material, wherein the parts of the sheets forming the article are joined by seams before vulcanization.

While the invention may be emplo ed in the manufacture of various articles, t e example selected for illustration is an inflatable y; ture of articles or toys'havin a multiple of lateral extensions, such as dol s of human beings or quadruped animals in true proportionation and likeness. The invention aims to provide a process and means by which a relatively wide and thick article can be secured and, if desired, one in which the width may be increased relative to its height or length, to any desired extent and one in which also, the width at different points may be varied according to the nature of the articles, as for example, e s or arms may be made with a width materia y less than the body.

The invention includes the novel method and means hereinafter described and defined by the appended claim.

In order that the invention may be better understood reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which 1- Figure 1 showing the first operation of the method is a' vertical section through a die and anvil, illustrating the same about to act upon two superposed sheet sections WhlCh provide the intermediate spacing strip between the material forming the sides of the article and which provide material for one face of double projections, such as legs, arms, I

and ears, etc.;

Figure 2 is an edge view of the sheet material after the operation shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged plan view of Figure 2;

Figure 4 shows the material holding device comprising a platen about which the intermediate material shown in Figures 2 and 4 is placed about opposite sides of the same and sheets of material which form the size of the article applied on opposite sides of said intermediate material, and outer holding plates therein, as shown in Fi and the invention permits the manufac-' of the device, all of which constitute the second and third steps of the method 5 Figure 5 is an enlarged plan new of the holding device with mateirials assembled Figure 6 illustrates t e fourth ste of the method wherein the materials a$em led, as shown in Figure 4 are subjected to the outtin operation of op osing dies actin on opposlte sides of the p aten and throng open- 00 ings in said outer holding plates;

i re 7 is an enlarged p an view illustratin t e cutting edge of the die; and

igure 8 is a perspective view of the article produced as a result of the operation shown 06 in Figure 6, in the form of an inflatable toy rabbit.

In proceeding, according to the improved method of this invention, two sheets 1 and 2 of superposed unvulcanized rubber are placed upon an anvil or other suitable support 3, and a die 4 having combined cutting and seaming die edge 5 is brought down on the uppermost layer with sufficient force to depress this layer into contact with the lower layer and press'the same against the anvil, whereby the portions of the layers lying within the edge 0 the die are severed and the edges lying outside of the severed portion are joined together, as at 6, this be' effected by the shape of the blunt cutting 'e shown in the drawin as is well understood by those skilled in t e art.

The sheets 1 and 2 may be independent sheets or may be a single sheet folded upon 35 itself and the cutting edge 5 of the die 4 is shaped to ca the body and head outline of the article to e made, but does not include the outline of parts or projections to which width is not desired or required.

The article illustrated in the drawings as being made by the invention, is an inflatable toy rabbit and Figures 2 and 3 show the result of the operation in Figure 1.

Having thus severed and removed the port1on of the layers 1 and 2 lying within the die'edges 5 (and which portion 1s discarded) and seamed together the severed edges 6 of the remaining portions of the layers 1 and A 2, the latter are arranged on opposite sides mo of a laten 7, consisting of a flat plate having t erein an opening 8 the edge of which corres onds to the contour of the cutting edge of t e die 4 or of the seamed edge 6 of t e layers 1 and 2. This is accomplis ed by extending the joined layers 1 and 2 throug the o ening 8 and arranging the same so that t e seam 6 will lie opposite and conti one to the edge of the opening, as shown in igure 4.

These sea-med layers 1 and 2 form an intermediate peripheral strip or band 1: connecting the outer side sheet or layers 9 and 10 of the article and provides material to form one face a of projections, such as legs, arms, etc. of objects. This band a has the medial circumferential portion thereof (which is the seam 6)'havmg the outline of parts of the article being made (see Figures 2 and 3 and of those parts it is desired to give wid to more properly simulate various forms or objects.

After placing the seamed layers 1 and 2 on the platen 7, the outer side layers 9 and 10 v are applied on eachside of the platen. The

layers 1, 2, 9 and 10 have their surfaces. dusted with talcum, sulphur, starch or other suitable material to prevent adhesion. In

order that the layers 1, 2, 9 and 10 may be in smooth, flat distended position, cover or holdmg plates 11 and '12 are placed against the outer faces of the layers 9 and 10 and each save an opening 13 therein.

The platen '7 with its assembled layers isthen placed between two opposed cutting dies 1 4 and 15, each having cuttin and seaming rmbs and edges 14 and 15 of t e shape or deslfi'n of an article or toy to be made, and w 1611 are pressed, preferably simultaneously, aga nst opposite faces of the platen 7, by pro ection through the opening 13 in the plates 11 and 12, (see Figures 6 and 7 The dies 14 and 15 are brought together with sufficient force against the platen to cause the cuttmg and seamin ribs thereof to sever the assembled layers a ong the line 20, the portions of the layers 1, 2,. 9 andlO lying outside of the ribs 14" and 15 being removed and scrapped, and the edges of the ortions lymg Inside said ribs belng seam together to complete the formation of the article.

T e article thus made is sub'ected to a vulcan zmg treatment, and rovided with an inflatmg valve (not shownl by which it may be inflated after vulcanization. The article may be stamped, colored and painted in any desired manner. The width of the article, or a portion of the article, maybe varied according to the distance the cutting ribs 14 and 15 are s aced from the edge of the o enin 8 in the p aten 7, thereby giving the esi contour to the article.

The platen 7 preferably has the holding plates 11 and 12 hinged thereto at one ed e in order 'to facilitate the mani ulation of t e platen and the assemblage of the layers of material therebetween. Pins 16 are rovided on each surface of the platen whic plerce the layers 1,2, 9 and 10 so as to hold the same in a stretched ortort condition and prevent.

the same from slipping. These ins 16 referably extend throng openings 7 in the holding plates, or the pins or other suitable means may be carried y the holding plates instead of by the platen.

Havin thus described the invention, what is claim is A method for manufacturing inflatable toys and like objects including cutting a design from the bod portion of two superposed on each side of the platen and in superposed relation on the ad ecent'marginal ortion, then placing on said outer sheets olding plates having apertures therein lar er than the opening in said platen, then sposing said platen and assemble sheets thereon between opposingcutting dies having endless cutting and seamin ri s conforming 1n contour to the shape 0 the article desired, and causing said cutting dies to act upon the layers on each face of the laten through the openin s'in said holdin p ates and at points beyon the edge of t e aperture in said platen. p

- In testimony whereof I have hereunto set In hand.

y JACOB STEIN.

Ill 

